Rates Surge Past $100,000 per Day on Atlantic Market As Capacity Tightens

As LNG Market Tightens with Record Charter Rate Spike

LNG charter rates experienced an unexpectedly dramatic surge in mid-November 2025, breaking above $100,000 per day for the first time since early 2024. This dramatic upswing reflects tightening winter fundamentals as the Northern Hemisphere enters peak heating season; providing significant relief to LNG carrier operators who had endured historically depressed rates during first three quarters.

Spot LNG charter rates have seen staggering increases since October, when heating season typically started. Pacific spot charter rates experienced more gradual gains; tripling since October to reach nearly $75,000 daily - reflecting supply-demand dynamics shaping LNG shipping landscape.

At present, three primary factors are contributing to market tightening. Global LNG exports increased 14 percent year-on-year since October due to stronger deliveries from the U.S. into Europe; second, floating storage has seen nearly 40% increases since early November as traders stockpile inventory ahead of anticipated higher winter gas prices; and finally seasonal colder weather in import markets is increasing demand and charter rates, providing support.

Container Ship Market Shows Corrective Action taken.

LNG rates experienced a sudden and drastic surge, while the container ship charter market experienced gradual shifts during this same timeframe. The New ConTex index recorded 1,498 points during week 46 of 2025 - representing 0.5 percent decrease from previous week but 11 percent growth year-over-year - representing structural normalization rather than sudden correction, with freight rates decreasing across most vessel sizes gradually. Market analysts saw this movement as evidence of structural normalization rather than sudden correction;

Small feeder vessels continued to show remarkable stability in terms of six-month charter rates; for 1,100 TEU vessels they stood at approximately $17,082, down just 1 percent weekly while up 16.3 percent year-on-year. Meanwhile 1,700 TEU vessels, essential for intra-Asia and Mediterranean routes, saw rates reach $29,348 with only 0.4 percent weekly decline while showing 24.8 percent annual growth - meaning shipping lines entered early into this market to secure these vessel sizes early and maintain operational flexibility on routes affected by Red Sea disruptions.

Medium-sized vessels experienced more pronounced corrections. Of all the medium sizes, 2,700 TEU vessels saw the sharpest declines; their twelve-month rates totaling $35,614, down by 0.7 percent weekly but still 12.8 percent higher than last year; 3500 TEU class contracts saw a 0.5 percent weekly decrease while larger 5,700 and 6,500 TEU vessels held relatively stable at $59,772 and $66,481, suggesting they have not returned to previous heights but instead have avoided significant downward pressure.

Drewry's World Container Index decreased one percent to $2,076 per 40-foot container as of late November, remaining 80 percent below its pandemic peak of $10,377 in September 2021 but 46 percent higher than 2019 pre-pandemic average of $1,420. Freight rates from Shanghai to Rotterdam decreased 7 percent to $2,046, while Shanghai-Los Angeles rates increased 5 percent to $2,713 per 40-foot container.